Che Arthur

A personal, reflective album, ‘For That Which Now Lies Fallow’ signals Che Arthur’s willingness to share and deal with his internal demons, perhaps hoping to inspire any troubled listener out there. An obscure and fiery record, the album builds its unique identity over a sea of garage and hard-rock stylings, the perfect settings for Arthur’s gritty, anthemic vocals, pretty lo-fi and noisy in their livery.

Emerging from Chicago, Che boasts a wealth of industry experience spanning post-hardcore bands and electronic endeavours, all expression of his creativity and wide artistry. We are certainly not new to it, hence we appreciate what ‘For That Which Now Lies Fallow’ has to offer. It feels like a confirmation of a project that’s growing release after release.

Reiterating the personal take on the album’s lyricism, Che explains: “I’ve learned that one of the few things I can do to help keep myself above water mentally is to leave my house and play my songs in front of people. That’s the reason I wrote this album – so that I could get some of those thoughts and feelings out of myself and use the tools I have, which are the guitar and my voice, to communicate them to people.” -

he Arthur’s latest single, “No Harbor,” offers a gritty and authentic experience from the moment you press play. As the lead track from his upcoming album ‘For That Which Now Lies Fallow,’ this song serves as a compelling introduction to Arthur’s unapologetic artistic style.

From the opening notes, this track captivates listeners with its raw energy and original lyrics. Che Arthur’s vocals have a mesmerizing quality that stays with you long after the song ends. The production of this track is smart and creative, showcasing Arthur’s skill as both a musician and sound engineer.

The song’s atmosphere is unique, drawing listeners in with its compelling melodies and anthemic indie rock sound. With hitting drums and amazing guitars, this single delivers a punchy rhythm that sets the tone for Arthur’s rough vocals to shine. His poignant lyricism explores themes of isolation and existential crisis, resonating with listeners on a visceral level.

As a veteran musician based in Chicago, Che Arthur brings a wealth of experience to his music. Having toured the US and Europe, he continues to push boundaries and create music that speaks to the human experience. With ‘For That Which Now Lies Fallow,’ Arthur confronts his own struggles with cancer treatment, aging, and personal heartbreak, searching for hope amidst the darkness.

Overall, “No Harbor” is a standout track that showcases Che Arthur’s talent and resilience as an artist. It’s a song that lingers in the mind long after it ends, leaving listeners eagerly anticipating what comes next from this seasoned musician. We are super excited to see where this artist’s career will go over the coming months! -

Chicago-based multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and engineer Che Arthur releases his fourth solo album, “For That Which Now Lies Fallow,” on April 26th. The introspective hardcore album details Arthur’s personal struggles in recent years, and the result is an emotional and heavy record influenced by the likes of Bob Mould.

We had the opportunity to talk to Che Arthur to discuss the background, process, and meaning of “For That Which Now Lies Fallow.”
For That Which Now Lies Fallow Album Cover
We like to start by asking all artists these five questions:

Name the one song that most inspired you to become an artist.

Arthur: I’m not sure which song exactly, but it would almost definitely be something on Purple Rain by Prince. I first heard it and saw the movie when I was 12 years old and immediately wanted to learn how to play guitar.

What creative name would you give to a playlist of your own music?

That’s a tough one. Maybe “Describe This Present Moment.” Actually, now that I see it written out I might use that for my next album title.

Last non-music-related job you had?

Years ago in Chicago I worked in a little shop that sold fancy handmade home furnishings, luggage and jewelry. It was kind of fun actually, and I learned a lot there. Everything I’ve done for a living since then has been music-related, so way more than 20 years now.

Worst lyric ever written?

Worst lyric I personally have ever written? Hmm, I may have rhymed “fire” with “desire” at some point or something like that? Though I think my teachers had impressed upon me by the time I finished high school that that was a rhyme one should probably avoid.

What’s your vibe today?

Pretty ok vibe today. It’s my birthday today actually, and I’m in Tulsa doing sound on tour for Silversun Pickups, so it’s nice to be among friends. Super nice weather here today and that always helps my vibe. Also my new album comes out in a few days, and I’m looking forward to that.


Can you describe the circumstances of your life during the making of For That Which Now Lies Fallow?

I think that, after a few years mostly making more electronic-leaning music not intended to be played live, what led me to write a guitar-oriented album with relatively simple song structures was that I was asked to play some solo acoustic shows opening for friends that were coming through Chicago. I hadn’t played in that way in several years, and hadn’t really had plans to do it anymore at all, but when I played those shows, the best way I can explain it is that I felt lighter than I’d felt in years. I felt an emotional release that I’d desperately needed after some pretty tough years dealing with serious physical and mental health issues, and I guess the general psychological scars of aging. Or maybe they’re the scars of living in this present world at any age.

Either way, I saw that this was something that could help me feel better and that I should probably do it more for that reason, but I didn’t have any new or recent songs to play at those shows. So I thought that making a new album would not only help me work through some of the mental health struggles, but that if I did it during the winter it might help me deal with the brutal depression I’ve experienced the past few winters.

So I wrote and recorded the music pretty quickly, and saved the lyrics for last. I wrote the vast majority of the lyrics right before recording the vocals on the album, which I did at home over about a two week period. I would say the lyrics tap directly into the factors I mentioned earlier - the physical health issues, the spiral of depression they caused, and some unfortunate situations I in turn caused as a result of that. They’re the most direct lyrics I think I've written in my entire life. Nearly every line on the album refers directly to something real that happened, or to a feeling I experienced. So in that way, regardless of whether other people like it or not, it’s an album that has already done exactly what I needed it to do.
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When did you realize that you were making an album? Was there a specific track that led you in the direction of For That Which Now Lies Fallow?

I think “This Lost Champion,” the opening track, definitely set the tone for what I wanted to do lyrically. When I wrote that one, I knew right away I wanted it to be the first song on an album eventually, but I hadn’t actually thought specifically about making a new album at that point. This was last summer, mid-2023, and I didn’t have any other new songs at the time.


A little bit later, early fall, was when I decided to do an album. So the songs I wrote were specifically for the project. The music for three of them came from some home demos I'd made several years ago and never written lyrics for. Then I wrote most of the rest in the fall of last year right before starting to record in late December.



What aspects of “No Harbor” and “The Sliver” influenced their selection as singles from the record?

“No Harbor” felt like a pretty obvious first single to me - it’s a 3 minute song, melodic but dark. Lyrically it touches on some of the themes that the album is about - the feelings of isolation, the fear of having aged out of relevance, the feelings of ruminating upon one’s own mistakes and moments of hubris.

When it came to choosing a second single, though, it was kind of tough. I think I ended up choosing “The Sliver” because, while it’s got a heavier feel, it also is one of the moments on the album that speaks to holding on to small rays of hope through the darkness in life, yet there is an observation that there are forces in the world who spend their time specifically trying to take away those slivers of hope from others.



“The Heart Follows” is an emotionally impactful album closer. Could you describe the creation of that track?


It’s so strange to me how that song happened. I wrote it after I'd already recorded the rest of the album, and I was at home about to record an acoustic guitar part on a different song. I sat down at my desk to get a level for the mic on the guitar, and what I played was “The Heart Follows,” exactly as it is on the album. I started singing the melody along with what I was playing, and was like wow, this is a song already.

So I wrote the lyrics kind of just as they were coming into my head, and that was the song. This all happened in the span of about 20 minutes, and when I finished it I recorded it right away. When I listened back, I felt such a strong emotional experience that I knew I had to include it on the album. It immediately became one of my very favorite songs on the album, and it’s among the most emotionally raw songs I think I've ever written. I’ve been playing it live, and it’s been one of my favorite moments of my live sets too.



One of our favorite songs is “The Garment.” What is the background behind that song?

“The Garment” and “The Sliver” are kind of companion pieces, in that they refer to something that came out of conversations I had with my therapist at the time. She’d asked me to come up with a physical item that could symbolize the depression and anxiety I deal with, and I thought of a shirt made of chain mail armor.

There are some behaviors that depression and anxiety can cause that can be protective to a certain extent, such as staying in bed alone all day instead of going out into the world. Like armor, this kind of behavior can protect us from the arrows the world fires at us - things like persecution based on race or sexuality for instance, or “less severe” but still quite painful things like rejection or embarrassment.


She asked me what could penetrate this armor, and I said “slivers of hope.” So I wrote “The Garment” and “The Sliver” based on that idea.



You’ve worked as a touring sound engineer with bands like The Silversun Pickups and Manchester Orchestra. How does that experience inform your songwriting and production?

WIth some bands I’ve toured with for many years I’ve obviously heard their songs a million times, so I’m sure little musical ideas probably seep in here and there. But other than with someone like Bob Mould, who I've toured with for years and who was a pretty obvious musical influence of mine way before that, I usually don’t hear much direct influence from bands I tour with in what I write. Though maybe it’s there and I just don’t notice!

Production-wise, though, I would say that some of the things I do or discover in live sound situations definitely influence things I do when recording or mixing an album. Vice versa, too - sometimes things I stumble across when mixing a record end up becoming parts of what I do in live mixing, for sure.



What message do you hope listeners will take away from For That Which Now Lies Fallow?


Someone asked me a related question recently, which was how important it was to me that people found hope in these songs. I thought about that, and the answer I came up with was this: while this album is pretty bleak lyrically, I think that the sheer fact that I made it speaks to a degree of hope.

Making something and putting it out into the world where it’ll most likely be criticized - or possibly ignored - I think requires at least some amount of hope, or a conviction that making the thing and showing it to other people is the right thing to do. It’s inherently a sign of not having completely given up, and I think that maybe what I would like someone to take away from this album - especially if they’ve dealt with darkness in their own lives - is that here is a person who deeply understands psychological struggle, yet has not totally given up that struggle. And maybe that in turn will help that listener not give up either.

For That Which Now Lies Fallow releases on April 26th. -

Chicago-based multi-talent Che Arthur returns with in a massive way in his latest solo endeavor, "For That Which Now Lies Fallow." As a seasoned member of revered post-hardcore groups like Pink Avalanche and Atombombpocketknife, Arthur brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his fourth solo album, marking a triumphant return to the forefront of the music scene.

At the heart of "For That Which Now Lies Fallow" lies Arthur's raw and unfiltered exploration of his inner struggles and triumphs. Each track serves as a reflection of his battles with health issues, isolation, guilt, heartbreak, and a sense of displacement. Yet, far from being a mere lamentation, the album emerges as a powerful weapon wielded against these demons, a sonic catharsis that empowers both artist and listener alike. If anything, it’s something for those in similar situations to find solace in.

From the opening chords of "This Lost Champion" to the haunting echoes of "Cold Blood Run Dry," Arthur leads listeners on an emotional journey filled with highs and lows, twists and turns. The record pulses with energy and vitality, propelled by Arthur's dynamic vocals and masterful instrumentation. While tracks like "In The Gray" and "The Garment" showcase Arthur's prowess as a storyteller, weaving intricate narratives that resonate long after the music fades.

What sets "For That Which Now Lies Fallow" apart is its remarkable cohesiveness and diversity of sound. While Arthur's vocals remain the driving force behind each song, the album effortlessly incorporates a myriad of instrumentation, from electrifying guitar riffs to soul-stirring melodies. The result is a sonic tapestry that captivates the senses and transports listeners to new emotional heights.

Standout tracks like "No Harbor" and "Cold Blood Run Dry" offer a glimpse into Arthur's musical evolution, while maintaining the raw intensity and authenticity that have become his trademark. With "For That Which Now Lies Fallow," Che Arthur proves once again that he is a force to be reckoned with in the world of alternative rock, leaving listeners eagerly awaiting what comes next from this talented artist.

With its blend of raw emotion, masterful instrumentation, and captivating storytelling, the album is sure to resonate with listeners for years to come, solidifying Arthur's place as one of the most compelling voices in modern music. We quickly recognized just how special it is within the genre, so please, take a moment to listen, follow along, and much more by clicking those important links below. -

Che Arthur, known for his work as a touring sound engineer with esteemed acts like Silversun Pickups and Bob Mould, sets sail on a dark and turbulent musical journey with his latest single, “No Harbor,” released this Feb 16.

As the first single from his upcoming album, For That Which Now Lies Fallow, Arthur dives deep into midlife crisis as a musician surrounded by the novelty of youth. Influenced by the raw intensity of bands like Husker Du, Unwound, and Dinosaur Jr, “No Harbor” embodies a visceral energy that reverberates with Arthur’s own reflections and struggles.

The song unfolds with gnarly fervor, propelled by thumping drums and gritty guitars that carve through the air with relentless force. Arthur’s raspy vocals, laden with emotion and conviction, cut through the sonic landscape, delivering poignant lyrics that resonate with themes of isolation and existential crisis. The standout line, “there’s no harbor here for ghosts like you,” encapsulates the haunting essence of the song.

Arthur’s fourth solo album marks a return to form, following ventures into electronic projects. Recorded amidst personal challenges like cancer, heartbreak, and desolation, For That Which Now Lies Fallow is transparency and authenticity out of wraps.


For Arthur, music isn’t just a creative outlet—it’s a lifeline. Listen to “No Harbor” by Che Arthur for whom music is a means of surviving and thriving. Come be guided by Arthur’s crashing and receding waves of sound and of life. -

When I first heard Che Arthur’s new track No Harbor, I fell in love. It’s got a fantastic energy to it, drawing you into his world on the very first listen. It’s a rock song with elements of indie and punk, appealing to fans of multiple genres. If you missed the track, you can also find a stream at the bottom of this interview with Che!

By Jane Howkins

How has the reception to No Harbor been so far, and where can it be purchased?

The reception has been quite good so far! I’ve been pleasantly surprised about that because I recorded the album very quickly, then released No Harbor as the first single almost immediately after the album was mastered. So I didn’t give myself much time to sit and think (or potentially overthink) – it was only about 6 weeks from the start of recording the album to the release of the song and playing it live for the first time. It’s available on all of the free streaming outlets, of course, and also Bandcamp: chearthur.bandca…mp.com

Do you have any more singles planned for the near future?

I do! The second song from the new album to be released is called The Sliver, and that’s coming out quite soon.

Your fourth album, For That Which Now Lies Fallow, will be released soon. What can you tell us about the record and when is it due out?

I’m not sure where to start! When I returned to solo acoustic live performance last year after many years away from it, it helped my mental state drastically. I’d been dealing with health issues (both physical and mental), and not dealing with the mental health ones very well. I was asked to play some solo shows, and when i did them and walked off the stage feeling lighter I thought “I should probably get back to doing this more often”.

But it felt a bit strange to return to playing solo without any new songs, so that started me thinking about writing. Then I thought about how the past 3 winters had been very dark and difficult for me mentally, and I decided to try spending the winter writing and recording an album. That way i had a channel for those dark thoughts and feelings, to let them out rather than keep them in. So that’s largely why i made the album.

You also perform as part of Pink Avalanche. How do the two projects differ? Does Pink Avalanche have anything new coming out soon?

I think they’re pretty similar in some ways, especially in the way that both people on this album (me and Adam Reach, who plays drums) are also in Pink Avalanche! I think the songs are similar to Pink Avalanche songs in general, though most of these have simpler arrangements than some Pink Avalanche songs. But one main difference is that 8 of the 10 were written specifically so i could play them live at solo acoustic shows, whereas Pink Avalanche songs are mostly intended to be played by a 3- or 4-piece band.

Your music has an indie rock sound. What/who are you most influenced by? What have you been listening to recently?

Other than a few probably obvious ones, I’m not sure that the music i make sounds like many of the artists/albums I think I’m most influenced by. I think of lots of early and mid 90’s indie/noise rock like The Jesus Lizard, Shellac, Guzzard, Chavez but also Prince, the first Violent Femmes record, lots of metal, lots of 70s prog rock, Blonde Redhead, PJ Harvey, Elvis Costello. Big (probably) obvious ones would be stuff like Husker Du/Sugar/Bob Mould, Jawbox, Jawbreaker.

Recent stuff I’ve been listening to a lot: the new Chelsea Wolfe, the new Drahla, the recent Slowdive record, and the new Nils Frahm record.

You’re from Chicago. What is the local music scene like at the moment?

One thing i like about being a sound engineer for a living is that I’m always exposed to new music, especially local Chicago bands. The music scene here is always great, but just lately i feel like it’s really crazy. So many great bands, such cross-pollination style-wise. So many people playing in 2 or 3 or 4 bands that all sound completely different. It’s an inspirational place to be, in that sense.

Do you have anything else exciting coming up over the next few months?

I just played some solo acoustic shows around the US and have a few more coming up in late April/early May, right after the album comes out.

I’m planning on making a new Ha Subliminal EP soon, and I’m excited to get into that too.

Do you have any tour dates lined up for the UK?

Not yet, but I am working on that! I’d like to come over this year.

Any last words for the fans?

I’d just like to thank anyone who’s listened to any of my stuff really, especially the new song but also Ha Subliminal, Pink Avalanche, Professor Downfall, and so on! -

Che Arthur - “When The World Comes Down”

Chicago-based multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and engineer Che Arthur, originally from Mobile, AL, honed his musical skills in various bands in his home state before relocating to Chicago in the mid-90s with his then-active band— and in 2024, his latest single, “When The World Comes Down” is making waves. Forming part of the album “For Which Now Lies Fallow”, this track is an explosive combination of rock and grunge influences; with the aggression and the structure to match. The songwriting hits the sweet spot between all the instruments, and the vocals are just the cherry on top. Check out the track here: -

Che Arthur's latest release, "For That Which Now Lies Fallow," is a sonic journey that transcends generations, evoking the raw passion of post-hardcore while addressing the challenges of aging in the music industry. This full album, dropped on April 26, 2024, via Past/Futures Records and Redeye Worldwide, showcases Arthur's versatility as a musician and songwriter.

Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, Che Arthur channels influences from bands like Jawbreaker, Sugar, and Dinosaur Jr., weaving a tapestry of emotions and experiences throughout the album's ten tracks. With Adam Reach on drums and Arthur handling guitars, bass, keyboards, and vocals, "For That Which Now Lies Fallow" highlights Arthur's multifaceted musical prowess in a way that shines, but never shows-off; he knows what he can do well, and he offers it up in a way that allows us to connect as opposed to being awed into submission.


The album kicks off with "This Lost Champion," setting the tone with introspective lyrics and dynamic guitars, kicking the door to the club open and letting his presence be known through power chords. Tracks like "No Harbor" and "When the World Comes Down" delve into themes of identity, disillusionment, and resilience, resonating with listeners across generations.

Che Arthur's songwriting shines through poignant lyricism, as seen in excerpts like:
"The corners of these eyes hide blank designs
There was never space between these thin red lines"

These words, paired with Arthur's emotive vocals, create a compelling narrative that invites listeners to introspect and connect with the music on a deeper level.

The album's press release highlights Arthur's personal journey, including health issues, aging, and heartbreak. Despite these challenges, "For That Which Now Lies Fallow" emerges as a cathartic expression of resilience and artistic vision.

One of the standout tracks, "No Harbor," reflects on the struggle of aging musicians in a youth-centric industry:

"No words but they’re loud and true
There’s no harbor here for ghosts like you"


As an elder punk who often feels a little at out of place at all ages shows, this resonates and Arthur's ability to blend introspection with energetic musicality showcases a mature yet vibrant approach to post-hardcore, appealing to both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

As Che Arthur continues to evolve as an artist, "For That Which Now Lies Fallow" serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of post-hardcore music and the timeless relevance of authentic storytelling through sound. -

Chicago-based artist Che Arthur shows an impassioned rock sound on new album For That Which Now Lies Fallow, his fourth solo album, and first since 2010’s Like Revenge. Personal themes of struggle — in regard to isolation, heartbreak, health, and beyond — complement a sturdy rock vigor. Arthur is also known for his work as a member in post-hardcore groups Pink Avalanche and Atombombpocketknife, in addition to his electronic projects Ha Subliminal and the previously featured Professor Downfall.

“The Lost Champion” opens with an invigorating onslaught of guitars and punk-friendly vocals; the intensity is palpable, and enjoyably infectious. “No matter where the passion,” the vocals escalate during a frenzied array of guitars and percussion, fully rousing. Beyond the somber folk introspection of memorable finale “The Heart Follows,” the album compels with a consistently rock-forward sound — ranging from the gritty distortion of “When the World Comes Down” to the grungy vigor of “The Sliver.”

“No Harbor” is also indicative of Arthur’s gripping songwriting. Its lyrics stir in its perspective of aging, particularly in an industry like music where youth and newness are celebrated. The “ghost like you,” reference echoes a silhouette-like feeling, as one tries to grasp their present place in an industry and artistic passion, as time continues to flow quickly by. For That Which Now Lies Fallow is a captivating album from Che Arthur.

“I’ve learned that one of the few things i can do to help keep myself above water mentally is to leave my house and play my songs in front of people,” Arthur says. “That’s the reason I wrote this album – so that i could get some of those thoughts and feelings out of myself and use the tools i have, which are the guitar and my voice, to communicate them to people.” -

Welcome to our exclusive interview with Che Arthur, the multifaceted musician hailing from Chicago, whose illustrious career spans across various musical landscapes. With notable contributions to post-hardcore outfits like Pink Avalanche and Atombombpocketknife, as well as ventures into electronic projects, Che Arthur now unveils his latest solo album, ‘For That Which Now Lies Fallow.‘ This album, his fourth solo release, serves as a testament to Che Arthur’s resilience, delving into themes of personal struggle and the relentless pursuit of artistic expression. Join us as we delve deeper into the creative process behind this powerful new release.

THANKS FOR JOINING US, AND CONGRATULATIONS ON THE RELEASE OF THE NEW ALBUM. AS YOU KNOW, AT TIG, WE REALLY ENJOYED YOUR LAST SINGLE, ‘THE SLIVER.’ SO, IT’S GREAT TO NOW BE CHATTING ABOUT THE NEW ALBUM, ‘FOR THAT WHICH NOW LIES FALLOW.’ THE ALBUM EXPLORES THEMES OF STRUGGLE AND RESILIENCE. HOW DID YOU APPROACH TRANSLATING THESE PERSONAL EXPERIENCES INTO YOUR MUSIC?

Hi, thanks for having me!

When I started writing this album, I knew it was going to look at the past three years of my life, so I knew it was going to deal with dark themes. I’d had ‘This Lost Champion,’ the opening song, since summer of 2023 and knew I wanted it to be the first track on the album, and I felt that lyrically it set the tone for the album pretty decisively.


In Spring 2021, in the immediate wake of a year of pandemic isolation (I live by myself, so it was literally a year spent alone), I was hit with a cancer diagnosis and underwent treatment. I was prepared for the physical difficulty that recovery would entail, but I did not know about the emotional difficulty. I had, essentially, an emotional collapse that lasted a year and a half. My state of mind affected every aspect of my life and strained certain relationships to a near-breaking point. As I began to try to pick up the pieces I came to realise some of the reasons I’d fallen apart, and I knew from experience that it would help me if I wrote about what had happened. So that is why I wrote these songs.

I wrote a majority of these lyrics after recording the music for the album. In some instances I wrote the lyrics right before I walked in front of the microphone to record the vocal track. Since the music was already there, I sat and listened to it and wrote pages of thoughts, and let those set the direction for each song. A lot of this happened in a very short period of time – about two weeks to write the majority of the lyrics on the album and record the vocal tracks. I tried to just go, and not stop to overthink too much. I wanted the pure feeling to come through. I noticed later a few words that came up several times each throughout the album, which was interesting to think about.

Che Arthur 1
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO RETURN TO A MORE POST-HARDCORE SOUND WITH ‘FOR THAT WHICH NOW LIES FALLOW,’ AFTER YOUR PREVIOUS SOLO WORK AND PROJECTS?

Though most of it has the sound of a loud full band, this album was written specifically to be played in a solo acoustic format live. That type of performance is something I used to do a lot, back in the early 2000s, but I kind of got burned out on driving around America by myself for months at a time playing solo shows. So I’d stopped doing acoustic stuff years ago, and we started Pink Avalanche and I also did a lot of ambient / loop-based / improvised solo guitar shows and some electronic albums and such.

But last year, mid-2023, a couple of times I was asked to play acoustic sets opening for friends’ bands that were coming through Chicago, and when I did them I noticed that the emotional release of playing that way – when I play solo acoustic shows I’m kind of loud, I hit the guitar hard, I sing loudly – helped me feel lighter, less encumbered. It was the first thing in years that had helped me feel less awful, to be totally frank. I decided then that I needed to go back to playing this way, but I wanted to have new songs if I was going to do that. So, I decided to write an album of new songs I could play on the acoustic guitar and hit the guitar hard and sing loudly. That’s basically it.

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AS A TOURING SOUND ENGINEER, YOU’VE WORKED WITH A DIVERSE RANGE OF ARTISTS FROM SILVERSUN PICKUPS, BOB MOULD TO BATTLES, MINUS THE BEAR, MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA ETC. HOW HAS THIS INFLUENCED YOUR APPROACH TO PRODUCING YOUR OWN MUSIC?

I think that after doing sound for a living all these years, be it on tour or in local venues as a house engineer, the hope is that there’s a trade-off between the physical damage we subject our hearing to on a daily basis just to do our jobs, and what we’re able to learn about what can make things sound “good” (though that’s 100% subjective) and the nuances that can make music “interesting” or not (again, totally subjective).

Myself, I definitely see a thread between things I’ve seen and learned in a live sound context and the ideas I’ve brought into mixing my own albums. But on the other hand, live sound and recording are very different realms, and what works well in one may or may not work well in the other.

Have some of the artists I’ve toured with influenced my songwriting? Probably so, to one extent or another. I’ve been quite fortunate over the years to mostly tour with artists whose music I admire, so I’m sure some things have seeped in.

GOING BACK TO ‘THE SLIVER’… YOU MENTION FINDING A “SLIVER OF HOPE” AMIDST STRUGGLES. HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR YOU TO CONVEY HOPE AND RESILIENCE THROUGH YOUR MUSIC?

So, ‘The Sliver‘ and another song on the album called ‘The Garment‘ are meant as companion pieces. A couple of years ago my therapist asked me to name a physical object to represent the depression, the anxiety, the negative feelings I experience and I said, “it’s like a shirt or a cloak made of chain mail, like in medieval armour. It’s very heavy, it weighs us down yet it can protect us from injury to some extent.” She then asked what could get through that armor and I said, “Little slivers of hope. Small arrows are hitting us all day long, and some of them get through the holes in the chain mail, but so do slivers of hope.”


I think it’s important that that song is there, because while there are a lot of very bleak messages on the album, ultimately the sheer fact that I made it is a gesture that I haven’t completely given up – just that it exists implies hope and resilience on some level, and I think I wouldn’t want that to be totally overshadowed by the dark stuff.

That said, I don’t think I intentionally set out with this album to paint a picture in which there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. But, I think that on it I am saying that I hope there is a light.


‘NO HARBOR’ TOUCHES ON THE SENSE OF NOT BELONGING, PARTICULARLY IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY. CAN YOU ELABORATE ON HOW THIS THEME RESONATES WITH YOU AND HOW IT INFLUENCED THE ALBUM AS A WHOLE?

I wrote ‘No Harbor‘ because of a conversation I had a few months ago with a person in their early 20s in which they told me that people my age (I’m 51) have no place in live music venues or at shows, saying, “no offense, but you’ve had your time already, now get out of the way and let the young people have their time.” It was jarring, and stayed with me. I was thinking about how I might have had similar feelings when I was in my early 20s and how things repeat themselves generation in and generation out, and how to this person I’m a relic but in some ways they’re also a ghost of 22-year-old me. We’re both ghosts, so which of us doesn’t belong? I don’t think that gets answered.


Another song on the album, called ‘The Heart Follows,’ touches on this concept of alienation / isolation too but explores how my tendency to stay up super late at night by myself is at once a rejection of the outside world and a shield that protects me from it. I literally wrote it in 20 minutes and it’s probably my favorite on the album, because the lyrics are very intentional, and yet it flowed out basically exactly as it is on the album.


I’ve dealt with feelings of not belonging for most of my life, but for years the one thing that did give me a sense of belonging was the punk / indie music community. It’s the way of life that we age out of things, though, and we grow apart from friends as life adds on responsibilities, spouses, children and such. As time passes I grapple with where I’m “supposed” to be at my age, and that comes up a lot on this album.

FOLLOWING ON FROM THIS, HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR MUSIC EVOLVING IN THE FUTURE?

I think in the semi-near future I’ll probably be doing electronic stuff again. I’m wanting to do another Ha Subliminal EP soon, and another Professor Downfall EP. I have some pieces of songs started for both of those already, and I also need evenutally try to flesh out a live situation for those two projects for the first time (neither have been played live before at all). But for right now I’m having a pretty good time just doing solo acoustic shows, playing these new songs and trying to get out to as many areas of the US as I can doing that.

I’ve got a lot more fragments / skeletons of guitar-oriented songs waiting around too, so I’m sure I’ll revisit those eventually. I’m always having ideas and thinking about things to try, which results in a lot of half-finished things sitting around for a long time. That’s where I’m at right now. So I think the near term goal is gonna be to turn a lot of that half-finished stuff into finished stuff.

FINALLY, A FUN QUESTION… IF ‘FOR THAT WHICH NOW LIES FALLOW’ WERE A SOUNDTRACK TO A MOVIE, WHAT GENRE OR TYPE OF FILM DO YOU THINK IT WOULD COMPLEMENT BEST, AND WHY?

I think a romcom, but a super dark one, haha! -

Guys, have you heard the latest from Chicago’s own Che Arthur? His new solo album “For That Which Now Lies Fallow” is an absolute banger!

For those not in the know, Che is the mastermind behind post-hardcore groups like Pink Avalanche and Atombombpocketknife. But with this fourth solo effort, he’s really baring his soul.

The whole album is Che pouring out his guts about the tough stuff he’s been through – health issues, loneliness, heartbreak, feeling like an outsider. It’s raw and real, but not just him wallowing. These songs are like his weapons against all that darkness, giving strength to him and everyone listening.

From the opening punch of “This Lost Champion” to the haunting vibes of “Cold Blood Run Dry”, Che takes you on one hell of an emotional ride. His vocals have so much intensity and the instrumentals are on point. Tracks like “In The Gray” and “The Garment” are little masterpieces of storytelling that’ll stick with you long after.

What’s dope about “For That Which Now Lies Fallow” is how it all flows together so smoothly while mixing it up with different sounds. Che’s voice is always front and center, but he’s incorporating all these genres – ripping guitar riffs, beautiful melodies. It’s a whole experience for your ears.

Standouts like “No Harbor” and “Cold Blood Run Dry” show how Che’s evolved as an artist while keeping that gritty authenticity he’s known for. After this album, dude has cemented himself as one of the realest voices in alt-rock today. I’m already fiending for what he does next.

Bottom line – “For That Which Now Lies Fallow” is Che Arthur bleeding all over the mic and creating something powerful AF. The raw feelings, the skilled musicianship, the captivating storytelling…it’s going to stick with fans for a long time. Che’s a legend in the making. -

Fudgecicles - how did we miss the Che Arthur Three’s Like Revenge? Out last week on Past Futures, the rock odyssey features fiery post-punk outbursts, weepy confessional acoustic tracks - and lots and lots of guitar. We swear we were just going to compare the vocals to Justin Sinkovich from Atombombpocketknife - even though we totally forgot till now that Mr. Arthur was one of the axemen for that woefully missed Chicago crew. … - http://blog.indiepit.com/2009/07/22/recapitulation-gonzales-why-owen-vic-chestnutt-biclops/

Whether playing solo or with the dearly departed
Atombombpocketknife, Che Arthur seems set on
avoiding the fl eeting whims of indie taste-making in
favor of huge, smart guitar rock—the type perfected
by the likes of Mission Of Burma and Bitch Magnet.
But 2007’s Iron is no mere throwback: Amid bleak
melodies and sawed-off songs lies calculated yet passionate
songcraft that sounds totally timeless. For his
third record, the recently released Like Revenge , Arthur
picked up a full-time backing band, which is accompanying
him on this tour. - http://production.theonion.com/assets//printarchive/4525_2009_06_18/DC/OnionDC4525_21.pdf

Che Arthur makes a living as the live sound engineer for bands such as Minus The Bear, Shellac, Pelican and Sparta. But he also likes to make music of his own. First as a member of Atombombpocketknife and later on as a solo artist.
That solo project then turned into The Che Arthur Three, which brings us to “Like Revenge”, the good man’s third album. Yes, the album artwork looks like the new August Burns Red album but the similarities end there. In a song like “Fall From Grace” Che Arthur sounds like restrained rage one second and then bursts out into a post-punk tantrum that will get you all riled up before bringing you under his spell with the acoustic “Me, As The Passenger On That Same Rainy Sunday”.

I imagine this is what Neurosis would’ve sounded like if they grew up on a strict diet of Hüsker Dü. Pretty good stuff! - http://punkrocktheoryzine.blogspot.com/2009/08/che-arthur-three-like-revenge.html